Display device

ABSTRACT

The invention is concerned with an advertising display device wherein a plurality of cards are displayed in pairs and pivotally moved about the common axis of a rotating shaft which is maintained in a stressed condition to prevent reversal in direction and to provide a smooth steady forward motion.

United States Patent Bernard Sterler 51 Kime Avenue, North Babylon, N.Y. l 1703 Feb. 27, 1969 June 22, 1971 inventor Appl. No. Filed Patented DISPLAY DEVICE 1 Claim, 9 Drawing Fig.

us. C1 Int. Cl.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 125,109 3/1872 Wood 40/73.4

591,410 10/1897 Mangold 40/73.4 1,810,606 6/1931 Houck 40/35 1,905,239 4/1933 McDonald"; 40/35 3,217,435 1 1/1965 Steiert 40/35 FOREIGN PATENTS 529,763 7/ 1954 Belgium 1. 40/35 406,910 8/ 1966 Switzerland 40/35 Primary Examiner-Robert W. Michell Assistant ExaminerRichard Carter ABSTRACT: The invention is concerned with an advertising display device wherein a plurality of cards are displayed in pairs and pivotally moved about the common axis of a rotating shaft which is maintained in a stressed condition to prevent reversal in direction and to provide a smooth steady forward motion.

Pmsmmmm V A 35857.48

SHEET l-UF 2 INVEN'I'OR. BERNARD STERLE R MMWW ATTORNEY PATENTEH JUN22 19/1 SHEET 2 OF 2 rIlI IIIL INVlfN'H m. BERNARD STERLER ATTORNEY DISPLAY DEVICE This invention relates to an advertising or display device and, more particularly, to a device for displaying a plurality of movable display cards in public places. Moreover, the invention is particularly adapted and useful for outdoor display card advertising purposes.

Display or card-type of advertising devices are widely known and used in industry and commerce. One such type of device is exemplified in US. Pat. No. 1,905,239, issued Apr. 25, 1933. The prior art advertising device illustrated and described in this patent pertains to a plurality of display cards which are pivoted about a common axis by being each pivotally supported under an intermittent torsional strain along the radially innermost edges. As the cards are rotated about their pivot points, the displayed card is detained in its displaying position for a period of time and predetermined angular rotation, until it passes a release point, whereupon the torsional strain element folds it about its pivot point into surface contact with the cards that have been displayed. In this manner, the opposite side of the card is exposed to view and the rotating cycle is continued. 7

In essence, the advertising or display device, according to this invention, although similar in basic construction and utility to the prior art device, avoids and obviates many of the inherently serious drawbacks and disadvantages encountered in the earlier prior art card display device as exemplified in the above-mentioned U.S. patent. Prevalent among the disadvantages encountered in the prior art device is the construction of the cards when in the displayed position, whereby two of the cards are allegedly at 180 to each other so that their adjacent pivoted edges are in an abutting relationship. As becomes readily obvious, when studying this construction in the prior art patent, the cards in this position will tend to bind or interengage along their abutting edges, thereby rendering the rotation of the device difficult, if not completely, inoperative. Another serious drawback of the earlier display device lies in the provision of a discontinuous or intermittent type of drive. Essentially, the drive system of the prior art device consists of a motor driven disc having a pin which is adapted to engage a single tooth of a gear which rotates the cards about the rotational axis of the gear. For each revolution of the disc, the pin rotates the gear by an angle greater than the pitch of a single gear tooth. As the pin disengages the gear tooth so as to commence an annular movement toward engagement with the next succeeding tooth on the gear, the latter is, in effect, free to rotate whereby the torsional strain producing members on each card, which are mounted on the gear, produce a torsional or rotating effect on the gear in opposition or backlash to the rotation imparted thereto by the motor-driven disc. Consequently, the motion of the gear and the display cards will be in the reverse direction until the torsional strain has reduced to zero and the next succeeding tooth on the gear is in position to be engaged by the pin on the disc.

The advertising or display device, according to this invention, in order to avoid the aforedescribed and other drawbacks and disadvantages, provides a rotating display card device adapted to provide a steady and smoothly moving card display which is particularly suitable for outdoor display and advertising purposes. In this connection the present display device provides for a novel and advantageous display card mounting and driving arrangement of relatively simple mechanical construction which will assure trouble-free operation even when subjected to the natural elements encountered in outdoor advertising.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved display or advertising device having a plurality of movable display cards adapted to be viewed from different directions.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device incorporating a plurality of movable display or advertising cards wherein the device is particularly adapted for outdoor advertising purposes.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a rotational display or advertising card device including means 2 for maintaining a continuous unidirectional torsional strain on the advertising cards, thereby achieving a unidirectional smooth rotational motion. v

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved and novel display or advertising card device including novel drive means for imparting smooth and continuous movement to the cards.

A still further object of the present invention provides for a novel display or advertising device having a plurality of movable cards which may be viewed from different directions with the edges of adjacent cards paired together to provide a continuous andsimultaneous display of the adjacent cards.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a display or advertising device of the type described including means for automatically stopping the motion of the display cards in the event of a failure of any of the mechanical components of the device.

These and other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

7 FIG. 1 is" an elevational perspective view, partially in section, of a display device according to this invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevational sectional view along line 2-2 in FIG.

FIG. 3a is a sectional plan view along line 3-3 in FIG. 1 showing the display device in a first operating position;

FIG. 3b is a sectional plan view along lines 3-3 in FIG. 1 showing the display device in a second operating position;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective detail view of one of the display card torsion spring members;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged detail view of one of the card detent pins;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged detail view of the time delay cutoff switch for the card driving motor; and i FIGS. 7 and 8 are schematic plan views of other display card arrangements according to the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown a displayor advertising device generally designated as reference numeral 10. The

device 10 comprises upper and lower casing portions 12 and I 14, each consisting of a generally circular flat plate 16 and depending annular flange 18. The casing portions 12 and 14 are interconnected by a pair of wall members 20 and 22 so as to form a generally rigid frame structure. 7

An elongated shaft 24 (FIG. 2) extends between casing portions 12 and 14, and is rotatably journaled in bushings 26 and 28 which are mounted on the casing portions. inwardly of casing portions 12 and 14, in proximity to the ends of shaft 24 are a pair of rotatable discs 30 and 32 which are mounted on the shaft so as to be rotatable therewith. Each of the discs 30 and 32 includes a plurality of apertures 34 spaced equidistantly around a circle concentric with the outer periphery of the discs. The apertures 34 in disc 30 are in axial alignment withthe apertures 34 in disc 32.

A plurality of rectangular display or advertising cards 36 extend between discs 30 and 32, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and the cards are positioned so that their radially innennost edges 38 are generally in alignment with apertures 34. The cards 36 each include, at the opposite ends of edges 38, axially extending pivot rods 40. These pivot rods 40, as shown in FIG. 4, comprise pin portions 42 adapted to project through apertures 34, and rectangular plate mounting portions 44 for fastening the pivot rods to the cards 36 in any suitable manner, such as by screwing, pinning, riveting or the like. In order to impart the required torsional strain or rotational force to the cards 36, the pivot rods 40, include coiled torsion springs 46. The springs 46 are slipped over the ends of pin portions 42 extending through the'discs 30 and 32. One end of each spring 46 is fastened to the disc in a suitable manner, while the other end of the spring is inserted into a slot 48 cut into the end of the pin portion 42. As a result, the cards 36 will tend to twist in a counterclockwise direction as shown in FIG. 3a of the drawings.

In order to limit the extent of rotation of the cards 36 about their respective pivot points on the discs 30 and 32, a plurality of detent pins 50 extend into the paths of movement of the cards. The detent pins are mounted on the surface of casing portion 14, and may consist of an upstanding rod portion having a rotatable bushing 52 adapted to be contacted by the cards 36.

Rotation is imparted to the discs 30 and 32 so as to convey the cards 36 about a common axis of rotation defined by shaft 24. To this effect, a small electric motor 54 may be mounted on casing portion 12, with the motor being connected in driving relationship to shaft 24 by means of a sheave 56 mounted on the latter end an endless drive belt 58 engaging the sheave and a drive shaft on the motor 54.

The operation of the display device is as follows:

The motor 54 imparts counterclockwise rotation to the shaft 24 and discs 30, 32 in a smooth and continuous manner. As the discs rotate the free edges of the cards 36 closest to each of detent pins 50 slip past the latter, whereupon the card will be rotated under the urging of the torsion spring 46 to a position where its outer edge abuts the preceding card. In the area between wall members and 22, which may be considered the display area, the front and rear surfaces of two different cards form a generally coextensive surface with the front surface of a following card 36 still being retained by the detent pin 50. As shown in H6. 3b,the display surface formed by the two adjacent cards 36 is almost straight, forming an obtuse angle approaching 180, and separated by a narrow gap between the adjacent card pivot points. As the shaft 24 continues rotation, successive cards 36 slide past the detent pins 50, thereby continually uncovering display material covering or printed on the reverse side of the cards, and concurrently exposing the front of the succeeding cards. This, in effect, will provide a continuously moving card display panorama.

When it is desired to use the device 10 for outdoor display or advertising purposes, curved transparent wall sections 60 and 62 may be positioned between wall members 20, 22 so as to extend between casing portions 12, 14. This will provide a weatherproof, sealed bubble" construction for the device. However, since rotation of the cards 36 may create an air pressurized condition in the sealed device, suitable pressurerelief or vent holes 64 may be provided in the flange 18 of casing portion 14, or wherever desired.

ln order to afford access to the interior of the device, one of the wall members, for example wall member 22, may include an access door 66. This will allow for the ready servicing and replacement of display cards 36 and component parts. For example, at times it may be desirable to replace springs 46 with new springs, or others having different torsion force characteristics. Also, there may be suitable display lights (not shown) in the device which become readily serviceable through access door 66.

Since at times there may be a component failure in the card mounting which would affect the operation of the device, such as the breaking of a spring 46 whereby the card would not rotate about its pivot 40, a suitable cutoff switch 70 may be provided, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6. The switch 70 may be mounted on casing portion 14 and may comprise a flexible clip adapted to be contacted by the edge of card 36 as the latter swings through a counterclockwise motion about its pivot point after sliding past detent pin 50. The switch may include a suitable time-delay (not shown) which is activated if not contacted by a succeeding card 36 within a prescribed time, so as to shut off motor 54 and thereby stop movement of the device. This will alert a viewer that mechanical failure of the device has taken place.

Although the device 10 has been described as including a continuous belt drive, it becomes readily obvious to one skilled in the art that a ratchet or Geneva" drive may also be used. In that case, however, a pawl and ratchet assembly may be employed in order to prevent the reverse rotation of the cards 36 under the torsional effect provided by springs 46. It should be noted in this regard that cutoff switch 70 may also be utilized as a brake to prevent reverse rotation if an intermittent-type drive means is used. Moreover, if it is desired to hang this sign from a pole or wall, etc., it is obvious that a frame should be provided to support the casing portions and wall members.

Thus the invention, as aforedescribed, maintains the torsional strain on the rotating shaft such that the cards are always moved in only one direction and since the cards in the display area do not abut, the motion is smooth and steady. It should be noted that in a preferred embodiment even though the apertures 34 are equally spaced around the discs 30 and 32, the centers of adjacent apertures which have cards in the display area are not parallel to, for example, the wall 200 of FIG. 3b in this manner the space between edges 38 in the viewing area may be minimized such that the view illustrated by the two cards appears as one.

F IG. 7 illustrates a display wherein three pairs of cards 36 in disc 32 are positioned to be displayed at a pair angle of approximately 120 by the detent pins 50. Whereas in FIG. 8, four pairs of cards 36 in disc 32 are positioned by the detent pins 50 to be displayed at a pair angle of approximately In both of these embodiments the drive system is identical with that disclosed in FIG. 1. lt should also be noted that in these embodiments the apertures 34, as in FIG. 1, are equally spaced apart. However, when positioned in the display area, adjacent apertures are not in a line parallel to the wall 20a (not shown in FIGS. 7 and 8) whereby the cards journaled in these apertures, although they have closely spaced adjacent edges, do not abut during rotation of the shaft or rotation by respective torsional springs.

It should also be understood that the foregoing disclosure relates to only preferred embodiments of the invention, and that it is intended to cover all changes and modifications of the examples of the invention herein chosen for the purposes of the disclosure, which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The invention I claim is:

1. A display device comprising,

a generally stationary frame having apair of spaced-apart end casing portions and wall portions extending between said end casing portions to maintain said end casing portions in said spaced relationship,

a shaft centrally located within said frame and extending between said end casing portions, each end of said shaft being rotatably journaled in said casing portions for rotation thereto,

a pair of rotatable discs each mounted on said shaft adjacent one of said casing end portions, each of said discshaving a plurality of apertures located in a circle concentric to the rotation of said shaft,

a plurality of display cards positioned for rotation about the axis of said shaft so that any two of said cards can be displayed simultaneously at an angle to each other with their adjacent edges in closely spaced relationship,

each of said cards having one projecting pivot member in a different one of said apertures in each of said disc,

torsion means for subjecting each of said pivot members to a torsional stress, 7

stop means located on said frame adjacent the axis of rotation and in the path of movement of said cards so as to arrest the latter in a display position, and

drive means for imparting rotation to said shaft and maintaining said shaft in a stressed condition generally transparent wall portions on said frame extending between said casing end portions and wall portions so as to provide a substantially closed housing construction adapted to shield said cards when utilizing said device for outdoor display purposes, and wherein said frame includes venting means to prevent air pressure buildup within said device during rotation of said display cards. 

1. A display device comprising, a generally stationary frame having a pair of spaced-apart end casIng portions and wall portions extending between said end casing portions to maintain said end casing portions in said spaced relationship, a shaft centrally located within said frame and extending between said end casing portions, each end of said shaft being rotatably journaled in said casing portions for rotation thereto, a pair of rotatable discs each mounted on said shaft adjacent one of said casing end portions, each of said discs having a plurality of apertures located in a circle concentric to the rotation of said shaft, a plurality of display cards positioned for rotation about the axis of said shaft so that any two of said cards can be displayed simultaneously at an angle to each other with their adjacent edges in closely spaced relationship, each of said cards having one projecting pivot member in a different one of said apertures in each of said disc, torsion means for subjecting each of said pivot members to a torsional stress, stop means located on said frame adjacent the axis of rotation and in the path of movement of said cards so as to arrest the latter in a display position, and drive means for imparting rotation to said shaft and maintaining said shaft in a stressed condition generally transparent wall portions on said frame extending between said casing end portions and wall portions so as to provide a substantially closed housing construction adapted to shield said cards when utilizing said device for outdoor display purposes, and wherein said frame includes venting means to prevent air pressure buildup within said device during rotation of said display cards. 